How it works
A Six Step Process
Collecting your baby’s cord blood and tissue only takes a few minutes but offers peace of mind for a lifetime.
We have made the process as simple as possible so that you can focus on your baby during and after birth. Everything needed is in your Collection Kit, including instructions to share with your birthing partner and the healthcare professional who will collect your cord blood, cord tissue and maternal blood sample. If you have any questions, please call us. We’re here to support you at every stage.
1. Order your kit
To order your Collection Kit, complete your medical history questionnaire, and consent form securely online, or request our brochure using the link at the top of the page.
We recommend that you order your Collection Kit as soon as possible after your 20 week scan so that you and your birthing partner and midwife have plenty of time to read the instructions and ask any questions. If they have any questions they are welcome to contact us directly.
2. Prepare for the big day
When you feel fully informed and happy about the collection process, pack your Collection Kit with your hospital bag, ready for the big day. Don’t forget to include the educational material and instructions in case a different midwife or phlebotomist attends your birth.
Your birthing partner should contact the phlebotomist as soon as you go into labour, keeping in touch with them as you progress. When your baby’s cord blood has been collected your birthing partner should contact us at Biovault Family so we can arrange a courier to transport your cord blood, cord tissue and maternal blood sample to our laboratory.
3. Welcome new life
Only when your midwife is satisfied that you and your baby are well will your baby’s cord blood and cord tissue be collected. The process is simple and can be done before or after your placenta has been delivered and the umbilical cord clamped and cut. There is no need for early clamping, and your partner can still cut your baby’s umbilical cord.
Using simple instructions, your midwife, doctor or phlebotomist will collect and label your cord blood, cord tissue and maternal blood sample ready for transportation to our laboratory in the pre-paid thermally insulated package.
4. Testing & processing
When you and your baby are safe and your samples have been collected, your birthing partner should follow the simple instructions inside your Collection Kit to notify your courier who will deliver your samples directly to our laboratory.
On arrival, your samples are transferred to a sterile environment and given a unique barcode. Your cord blood is then processed, tested for microbiological contamination and stem cell concentration.
5. Results & storage
When our scientists are happy that your cells are healthy and plentiful they will be stored in labelled tamper-evident bags labelled, frozen and preserved in vapour phase liquid nitrogen…
Cord tissue is processed and stored and its stem cells are extracted only if/when they are medically required.
6. Protect their future
We keep you informed at every stage, calling when your baby’s cord blood and tissue has been successfully stored and sending you a full set of test results. Finally, we send you your baby’s unique storage certificate as an assurance that their extraordinary stem cells are safe and secure.
Whats included
What’s in the kit?
When your kit arrives you’ll find some education information and instructions to share with your birthing partner, midwife and, if applicable, the phlebotomist who will collect your samples.
Our Collection Kits are a MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) approved medical device. Each kit is carefully checked in our laboratory and shouldn’t be opened until it is needed.
For those with a healthy curiosity, this is what your healthcare professional will find inside:
- Cord blood collection bag
- Sterile swab
- Gauze swab
- Tube clamp
- Cord collection kit (if required)
- Drape to preserve sterile envionment
- Maternal blood sample kit
- Temperature monitoring probe
Lets Begin
Order your kit today
Protect your family's future and let us take care of your baby's life giving cells by exploring our services and storage options available.
Request a Brochure
Find out more.
Our hope is that the information in this brochure will empower you as you weigh-up your cord blood and tissue storage options and prepare for your family’s healthy future.